Friday, June 26, 2009

When a believer falls, tongues wag and blame becomes a way of life. You don't really can't pinpoint how it all went wrong, unless you are very humble. You know your faith is a major part of your life, yet you wonder how you strayed. I know ... been there, done that.

I am praying for you. I am ridiculed by many for ruining my testimony of more than 25 years of faith and study; I can't imagine the pressure and ridicule you are being excoriated by people who feel betrayed.. I truly relate to and understand your plight ... and your sin.

When we let ambition, training (listening to flawed "put God in a box" apologia about right and wrong, or a lack of rightly dividing the Theo-pneustos Word of God) and society dictate the way we look at life, these pitfalls are ready made. With societal, economic and militaristic endeavors, loneliness always presages the fall of a believer. God has wonderfully and mightily created us; we were not made to live a life based upon being an American, but being a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. America has blurred this distinction, and we feel being a good American is tantamount to be a good believer. I've discovered the fallacy of this misconception.

This country was founded, as Machiavelli pontificates in the Prince and Discourses on Livy, as a republic with individuals being governed by the whole being more important than personal gain; but we have allowed the despotism of being a liberal democracy (both Republicans and Democrats) to come to the forefront, with popularity being more important ... the nobility of truth becomes a sacrificial element ... the good for all loses out to the over-riding element of personal accomplishment/gain. We have taken away the responsibilities of citizens of a republic and traded them for personal benefits ... so we pay the price of everyone tipping into a flawed sense of government because the slippage of truth is what everyone is expecting and doing.

Our goals to follow Christ are diminished by the popular premise of following our flawed misconceptions. We get lonely, and need the holes to be filled. The "devil" is in the details of following religion, instead of the spiritual quest to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit. When we leave God out of our conversation, as militaristic, economic and governmental requirements demand ... we set ourselves up for failure.

We have strayed from our convictions. Our goals to achieve were offset by our frailties. Many people will not comprehend the seductive call of well-intentioned but selfish motives. We all sin and miss the mark, falling short of the glory of God. How you respond to this will dictate how you continue your walk with our Creator. Do not give up hope; Christ died for your sins, and He knows your heart. His blood washes us white as snow.

You were in line to be a possible Vice-President. I was in line to be a helpful, faithful believer. All that can be said to either of us is to continue to follow Christ as your Lord and Savior. You and your family are in my prayers. Be steadfast in His love ... and, let the tongues say what they will. He who is without sin, let them cast the first stone. Be humble and confess your sins before God, and He will be merciful and forgiving.

Just don't quench the Holy Spirit; how you walk from here will truly demonstrate your service and humility before our Father. That, in this life, is whattruly counts anyway. Things of this world are passing away, and as "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

Monday, June 22, 2009

This world is filled with phenomenal opportunities to see beauty and power. It is also a place where our passions can become inflamed so that the simplest of truths becomes overwhelmed with the cares of this world.

People are working on the newest wealth builder for this ... I'd say generation, but it's moving so fast, it's lasting 2 to 3 years at a time now. At the same time, the oldest institutions continue on in rock solid power and strength.

Am I the only one to see the irony? Vanity of vanities ... an earthquake, a natural disaster, a change from the heavens ... we can go back to the stone age at a moment's notice, with the majority of our social networking wiped out at the stone's throw of adversity. Are we prepared?

What is wealth for some is bondage for others. That, my dear people, is called bondage. We take things for granted that basically ensnare our creativity for life ... maybe not for society ... maybe not for financial gain ... maybe not for pleasure ... but for the vitality and power of life.

If not this generation, for the next, or our grandchildren's? Just like the debt our country is ringing up now, somebody will have to pay for it. Be aware, be wary ... the time will come when the debt will have to be paid.

I'll share more on this very shortly. I've been doing some research, making some observations, and putting 2 + 2 together. For most, it will not be of value. For those who care about their generation, and the generations to follow, I hope it brings pause to stop and think. Make your own conclusions. For me, God is in control, and I know where my salvation comes from.

The term putting your eggs in one basket is a metaphor that has great value. As we head into the breech ... life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness must be examined for a people to maintain dignity and freedom!

[EDIT, 2015: happiness, from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should actually be life, liberty and the pursuit of blessedness. The founding forefathers used happiness from the beatitudes, and the proper translation should be blessedness. How different would life be in this country if we actually strove to seek blessedness instead of happiness? More on this later.]

Saturday, June 20, 2009

How difficult it is to hear another person when we are thinking of life's impact on us, and how we are going to respond ... strange, when we want to be listened to as well! As stated by one wag, life is full of interesting monologues.

Some of life is needing to struggle so we can enjoy the times of peace and serenity ...

Being homeless is a constant state for believers in Christ, so why do we freak out when it actually happens to us?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... what happens when scars get in the way of sight, and we don't see clearly?

Pride goeth before the fall ... we must really be fallen with all the people saying how proud they are of so many things!

Why do we get jealous of people who experience miracles? Come on, don't let your pride get in the way of being honest!

If being meek is srength under control ... we should really be afraid of meek people! They can whoop our backsides, if God gave them cause to!

Tears refresh and clear our eye ducts when mud from our shortcomings keeps floating up and hitting us in the face. That stuff really gets into our eyes, making it so hard to see!

Seeing someone we don't understand or really know prosper will tell us what kind of heart we have; or we glad for them or envious for ourselves?

I know it says He will not forsake the righteous or let them go begging for bread ... but, the bread of life is Jesus, and He will always be with us! Besides, most of us can stand to fast or go on a diet! He wants us lean to be able to go into battle and not make huge targets!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Change is inevitable; how we deal with the change is what gives us the quality of life we accrue. Reaping what we sow, so to speak...

I'm reading horrific stories, the atrocities of murder, rape and people of influence receiving numerous advantages in a corrupt society. I'm also reading about sacrificial love, noble and courageous actions, and dedication.

What heartache our Creator has when he looks at His children is the thought that comes to mind. We long for comfort, yet that comfort has a price tag. It should be a joyful time in our country as we grow older, and it can be ... however, the change that we have accrued is simply catching up to us, and the piper will be paid.

The wonderful truth is, beauty is everywhere. We live in a wonderfully diverse topography, one that I have been blessed to capture with my camera. It's hard to listen to people's rantings and ravings about the hopelessness and injustice of life, when I believe that there is an answer ... a very simple answer!

It's not all about sex, drugs and rock and roll. It's not all about using the lowest common denominator and making the most money. Dysfunction is running rampant in our systems, yet unless we are going through tragedy ourselves, it is easy to ignore! We have a level of invulnerability that has taken our trust and locked it into a closet. Yet, the beat goes on ... the beat goes on.

What we believe in is at the catalyst of change in America today. What was once a country that prized freedom is now a country that is becoming a socialistic, PC country. Where once the Church had great strength, "little popes" emerged in all forms of religions, not just the Roman Catholic Church. We now trust in our government as our previous generations trusted in faith, hope and love. The fall from commitment (again, a generational curse residual) has eroded our safety nets.

Yet, there is one safety net that never fails, never changes, doesn't get weak and weary. I hope you sing with all your might to bring back commitment ... even if you are flawed, as I am. I have fallen away from some of my commitments in life, so this is chewing my backside as I blog this ... yet, never let fear take you away from the truth!!!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The value of life can never be diminished; it is, however, abused due to pride, neglect, abuse and differing perspectives.

Mistakes occur. How we rise to address the mistakes is what makes us valuable to our Creator. Is it with humility and a hunger to be of service, or is it self-serving and vanity (as Solomon would put it)?

Injustices occur, and will until the millenia. Obviously, I am on a platform right now ... it can be ignored, or it can be thought about. Family is our strength ... it is also our weakness. The opportunities to serve others can never be diminished; it can become centralized and lose its authenticity, however.

Right now, I am in a battle over perception, honesty and legacies built and left behind. Being mistreated and abolished to the realms of peon-ship has really proven to be humbling and very enlightening, all wrapped into one experience. How to address this is a question I am taking to God, and praying about. He, after all, is the one in control. How do we deal with our problems is a question I have for Him ... most people do!

I can not hate a person that gives their best effort and fails. We all belong to God. I can be hurt by a person who chooses money over truth ... but, God loves that person as well. It makes authenticity even more important to me, as I get older and learn more about the frailness of the human creature. I hope you have the opportunity to let God rule in your life today, before the world captures your heart.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The usage of words in the 21st century ... not letting truth be the final judge, but allowing our limitations and our generational curse help with these daffynitions.

I don't believe in these daffynitions ... they are what observations have crafted for me to observe and comment on. The element of Daffy the Duck I hope clarifies the absurdity of what is being shared here. We don't live in Disneyland, after all. This points out the irony of lives being shared with one another. I hope it benefits you! It was, and is, cathartic to share.

Truth: What is convenient for people to believe to move forward in their daily rituals. ESPN, CNN, FOX ... it doesn't matter where we get our trash!

Faith: What we believe to be true, because it is either convenient or settles a problem issue we no longer want to deal with, and can now discard. Belief is so 1900's.

Confidence: What we want to let our training dictate, instead of letting us find the truth outside of what we were brought up with ... God, after all, is not in control, we are!

Hope: Boy, she had great legs ... she was a gymnast/volleyball player/model, after all!!!

Government: Depending on who is in control, it means Satan is in control or it is my justification to be what I am today. Just look at Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, Obama ...

Joy: Internal workings of news that brings satisfaction without fulfillment ... but that is being so cynical!

Seeker: One who desires truth (not necessarily the accurate one) just the most relevant one at this time and training ... that is what we were given today! Ask our parents (no, the government took that away from us), our teachers, our leaders!!!

Confidence: What we are taught is actually the truth (sans the truth); that's what we believe. I have to fight to the death to promote this fallacy!

Relief: Knowing we don't have to care about those losers ... does God really think I'm suppose to love my neighbors when they don't have a clue? It will cost me a mint!!!

I look to see the best of what people have to offer, but the "rantings and ravings," plus my own shortcomings, demand I share an honest assessment of what is occurring in life today. When we delude ourselves that we are doing "good," we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. Our we citizens? Do we have the USA's, or more importantly God's, interests at heart?

Let those with eyes to see and ears to hear take heed!

You are crafted as beautiful, powerful children of God ... make the best out of it today!!!

When we talk to each other, we often stop listening when self-defense mechanisms get involved. "Is this about me?" is a freezing question that stops our ability to communicate with each other on a foundational level. It is often never voiced, just felt.

Our past training ... generational curses, some people call it ... gets in the way of listening. It inhibits our continued growth to share and be intimate with the people we love. Self-defense attitudes become engaged, and we rely on what we know best. After all, that is why most of us do what we do ... our training.

Hearing the squeals of reality, enhanced by the whine of the actual motor and engine working versus what we think is going to be said ... the summations of our mind's estimation and expectation ... they engage thoughts that demands an answer from our training. It's an answer few of us are willing to follow through to the convictions demanded ... yet, we talk and fight the good fight. I know I do/did.

The growth of maturity and wisdom comes from our experiences. Our training is our strength and weakness ... I just hope I stay out of my way so the beauty that I have in me can come out to be shared. I hope the same for you.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Eat drink and be merry ... or, is it buried? The slogan has been, "Just say NO; don't do drugs." Yet, as evidenced by the obesity of our country and the number of emergency room visits to the hospital for gastro-intestinal problems, food makers (both corporate and personal) continue to pour white sugar and white flour into our foods, our stomachs ... hmm, with all the fiber being removed from our food, what is left of the sugar and flour basically acts as harmful as drugs to our systems. The ability to transform the nutrients is removed ... so we eat food that is going to stay in our bodies, transforming into fat and disease. We are eating for pleasure, not for nutrition.

Killing us softly with this song, letting our whole lives get wasted ...

A high school student found her disease (Crohn's) that numerous health care practitioners missed (8 years) ... yet, a national public health care program is being clamored for by most! Is our society dysfunctional, at best?

Telling my whole life with empty words ...

What am I missing? There is so much beauty in life. There is so much to see and do. There is also so much information being left on the table. I don't agree with government being the best governance of morality; yet, attacks on people who point out the wrongs on both sides are chastised for being condescending (see Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post on President Obama, 6/12/2009) and fosters vitriol and blindness to people who, as citizens, don't take the time to fulfill their civic or spiritual responsibilities. We are too busy, we have to make a living, we are to angry ...

I heard he had a style ...

This is what we leave our children, and their children?

Hermeneutics of our current state of events leaves beauty and truth at the doorstep, not invited in. If it goes against our training, we discard the information as meaningless, or irrelevant. Our mistakes will be visited upon the rest of our lives, as well as our children's lives, and their children's lives. Letting beauty reign in the soul has produced some of the most powerful truths and actions in history. Love of faith, of fellow man, of spouse, of children ... governments, medicine, science, art have all gained powerful successes when truth and beauty are at the core of how we choose to look at life. If we fail, as citizens, to recognize this ...

Killing me softly with this song ... wasting my whole life with these words ... killing us softly with this song ...

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Life is full of the unexpected. Such a cliché, yet so true! What we expect to happen, what we want to happen, what actually does happen, and what it means to us later in our lives ... the perceptions and desires all change so drastically over the course of weeks, months and years. It molds and develops the character of our beings ... it bakes into us the attitudes we carry with us today.

Our focus on economics, relationships, personal goals and development ... these basic ingredients all participate in what we offer our families, friends and communities. What life has given us shapes our beliefs that we live by, expecting to accomplish what we set out to do, whether it is bringing home the bacon or having that next relationship ... or, being angry and drowning our sorrows in that next glass of whatever, or puffing/snorting/shooting up whatever is the drug of choice, or being a workaholic, narcissistic, pessimistic, angry, a sex-addict, etc. We trust in the Bernie Madoffs in this world, and then we find out we were actually being lied to all along!

"We become, too late, smart and are too dumb when young" paraphrases a joke I often hear. Impatience, lack of knowing what tomorrow brings ... all of these have an impact on our actions of today. Too often, it seems, the phrase, "If I had only known ... " reflects our lack of knowing our best course of actions. The real estate meltdown, the economic meltdown, our country in turmoil, the divorces, the disappointments that reflect that activity that permeates our country and societies demonstrate that quite effectively.

Having a strong, well reasoned foundation will help take that heat and passion of youth and turn it into something marvelous, something wholesome and healthy for us to live by. We are able to let the experiences of our lives turn from disappointment and regret into something marvelous ... the power of truth in our lives. We must protect the ingredients of our lives with honor and intelligence!

Life is challenging. No news flash there. How we deal with the challenges are often what do produce the news flashes. (Man kills self and family over debt. Baby found in suitcase. etc., etc.)

Do we have a humble heart, or a prideful heart is the question I find myself asking. Pride is the main "problem" element of how people respond to whatever challenges and/or situations arise in life. Pride is a sin. That is what Satan had before God; yet, how many times do you catch yourself saying how proud you are of yourself, your family, your job, your ___________ (fill in the blank). Where do you think that leaves your gentleness of spirit or your character?

People look at their own situations and forget the power of meekness and humilty that will help them respond to situations in power. Meekness is having the strength to handle a situation without responding out of pride ... strength under control, not responding to our training. Living under duress provides a lot of opportunities to demonstrate how we have been wronged and how we are injured ... our responses come out of our duty or out of our "stations" in life.

A gentle spirit is not a weak spirit, but one of strength. Our desire to be strong to others provide our own stumbling blocks, usually resulting from being proud. It has often been said one's biggest strength is also their biggest weakness. Duress will bring out the best and worse of our strengths. How we respond is based on cultural bias, social bias, economic bias ... rarely out of faith-based strength and knowledge.

People are killing themselves over money, over a lack of stability ... duress provides us with the opportunity to demonstrate what we truly believe in. It demonstrates what we believe ... no matter what we say. Actions speak louder than words.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

It appears to me the Right and the Left are fighting for the same things ... different ways to approach it, mind you, but they are fighting for the same thing for our lives.

Both sides want control!

It appears the first thing both sides will tell you is liberty is what they want for constituents ... freedom to accomplish their goals. I would look at their comments, then look at their actions; finally, apply the two results together.

Abuses are occurring on both sides ... about as frequently per each side. They cheat on their wives/husbands/mates ... so does the other side. The one wants same sex relationship, the other side wants divorce easier. Abortion is a toss-up on both sides. The leaders both cheat ... excuse me, make mistakes, on their taxes ... both sides offer this. It goes on and on. Now, I've I committed adultery, so I can not claim innocence! Let me get that out of the way, I cast stones at my own actions as well. I am a product of my times.

For the life of me, I am really having a hard time distinguishing between the two sides of this coin. It implies there are differences, fundamental differences ... I am learning more and more how much I don't find that much choice between the two sides. A different color collar seems to be most appropriate! Different choices with the basic same results ... people's libertine or preferred approach versus ... common sense.

Life is happening so fast right now, information is coming so fast and furious it is hard to make sense out of nonsense ... that is why I have my devotionals. That is the only thing making sense that has lasted for more than 50-100 years that are current leaders offer. No, not back to the beginning of our country ... God was still in public life then!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

If it wasn't so important to my country, I would be LMAOROFL right now. Eloquence and debt. Bigotry and debt. Hysteria and debt.

Both democrats and republicans have been dipping into the public till for a long time.

My mother built houses, and she used to tell me how the big grants that got projects done (by very conservative, wealthy people ... mostly republicans) were government/taxpayers dollars. This, under the auspices of what's best for the economy, helped create "caste" systems, as well as jobs that never really panned out as promised due to glass ceilings ... except for a fortunate percentage (small) of workers.

On the other hand, government programs, initiated by mostly democrats, seem to have failed our country miserably! Programs like Head Start, the numerous job program/training, etc., have a dubious ROI, IMHO. Jails filled, social services swamped ... because the programs only take a person so far. These programs have not changed most of these people's spirit ... just their circumstances for a while.

I have perceived a weakening of American spirit ... and a reliance on making our country more "global." Jobs were being shipped overseas long ago ... unions had to be circumvented, profits had to be maximized. Unions, seeing the injustices to so many workers, started digging in harder. More and more corporations found it easier to ship jobs away.

Look at our economy now. Both parties are sending signs about weakening the greatest country in modern society ... with rhetoric. Spending has gotten ridiculous, yet we are poorer as a people. We can't blame it all on either party.

The banking system, the housing "crisis," insurance ... all of these present greed and hysteria from different perspectives. All are in trouble.